Bitton: I won’t be going back to Israel
Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton has ruled out a move to Maccabi Haifa this Summer as the 26-year-old wants to stay at Parkhead, according to the Evening Times.
The defensive midfielder is ruled out for the rest of the season as he underwent surgery on a knee problem two months ago.
Israeli side Maccabi Haifa are desperate to sign Bitton as Dutch boss Fred Rutten has promised to bring some big names to the club in an attempt to rebuild the squad.
The Israeli international has won seven major trophies during his five years in Glasgow and has swiftly quashed any talk of a return to his birth country.
Bitton said:
I am not going back to Israel, it’s not on my agenda. I am currently injured and I am under contract with Celtic until 2020. I am not interested in a transfer.
Bitton still has two years remaining on his Celtic contract, meaning it’ll be unlikely that we see the midfielder leave the SPL Champions this Summer.